Injuries – but not to Players!!!!!!!

New Recruit Travis Bull played his best game for the club against Tuggeranong.

Injury concerns were at the forefront of the Tigers battle with Tuggeranong Hawks on Sunday but for a change the players were not the ones being injured. Reserve Grade runner Lea Hansen had to be replaced during the match due to a calf strain. In the NEAFL match, Sports Medicine Trainer Gary Bullivant pulled a hamstring (how does that happen at his pace) and then runner Matt Nappier was also replaced due to a leg injury.

First Grade

On the playing arena – in absolute perfect conditions at Greenway Oval – the Tigers battled a persistent Hawks team that kept bouncing back to remain well in contention late into the final quarter.

The Tigers accuracy in front of goal proved the difference. They posted an amazing 20 goal 3 points This score without leading goal kicker James Kavanagh who pulled out of the named team on Saturday due to a back complaint.

Taking the challenge up forward were Daniel Campbell and Brett Fruend. These two short forwards made the best of every opportunity posting four goals a piece. “Fruey” certainly gained praise with his best performance for the club at this level gaining 27 possessions. This after being reinstated to the top grade after an indifferent past few weeks.

Alex Overs returned to 1st Grade this week and gave the tigers a lift through the middle.

There is no doubt newcomer Travis Bull has added some bite and height to our relatively small “big” man department. He doesn’t take a step backwards when going forward and his three goals were gems from contested marks. He combined well with the unassuming Mitch Heaslip.

Captain Ryan Quade played his best game for the season. He ran all day and provided the team with plenty of options up forward taking many marks and sending the Tigers into attack throughout the match. His inspiring last quarter led the Tigers to a mini revival after the Hawks had posted the first three goals of the last quarter and looked likely to overrun the Tigers as they did to Eastlake the previous week.

Kaine Stevens and Jeremy Kirkwood injected some much needed run into the team after they both returned to the team after missing last weeks match against the GIANTS due to illness. Two names that have been missing from the best player list this year – Mitch Daniher and Toby Conroy – were once again in the possession count and prominent throughout.

Tuggeranong 2 2 6 5 10 7 14 9 (93) Queanbeyan 6 0 10 2 16 3 20 3 (123)Tuggeranong Goal Kickers: A. POCOCK 4, B. Cleaver 3, D. SMITH 2, Z. Lamb , C. ROBINSON , T. FENYVESI , K. MASTERS , S. KELLY Best Players: D. SMITH, Z. Lamb, C. ROBINSON, B. Hancock, C. PROWSE, K. MASTERS Queanbeyan Goal Kickers: D. Campbell 4, B. Fruend 4, T. Bull 3, S. Jensen 2, K. Stevens 2, M. Heaslip , M. Daniher , T. Dickinson , R. Quade , P. Franchi Best Players: T. Bull, J. Kirkwood, K. Stevens, B. Fruend, S. Daniel, T. Cook

Reserve Grade

A strong Tigers Reserve Grade line up was far too superior for their Tuggeranong opponents on Sunday winning the encounter by 80 points. Up forward the Tigers had Mitch May and James Manie dominating their opponents with some spectacular marking. Had they been on target, the total of three goals a piece could well have reached double figures.

Mitch THE SHED Heaslip in career best form.

There were some very good performances by the entire playing group. It probably would be remiss not to mention every player but space prevents that occurring. There were a couple of players out to show the selectors they shouldn’t be forgotten in this grade after being relegated from the senior team last Sunday. Paul Slater was outstanding around the ground. His uncanny ability to get himself in and then out of trouble is a delight to watch. Down back Simon Mackie also played strongly in his first game back in the Reserves since being promoted about this time last year.

Jared Daniel played consistently throughout. Beau Watts kicked four timely goals up forward. Liam Wilkinson is slowly gaining fitness after injury and played solidly along with youngster Jake Oram (2 goals). Daniel Jabornik is producing the form that won him best and fairest awards two years ago. He missed the entire pre season but has served notice of his intent to make the top grade this year.

Coach Pavese described the win as one of the best overall team performance he has been involved in. He will have a difficult time finding spots for a number of players who will return for the two senior grade teams next week for the all important games against Belconnen at Manuka Oval on Sunday.

TUGGERANONG HAWKS 2 2 3 5 4 7 6 8 (44) QUEANBEYAN 6 4 9 7 15 10 18 16 (124)TUGGERANONG HAWKS Goal Kickers: S. Hartmann , K. Mahon , B. ANDREATTA , M. MALONEY , W. PROWSE , G. CURRIE Best Players: K. Mahon, M. MALONEY, C. Kickett, D. SIDWELL, M. WREN, L. Culnane QUEANBEYAN Goal Kickers: B. WATTS 4, J. Manie 3, M. May 3, J. Oram 2, D. CORCORAN 2, J. Brooker , P. Slater , L. Wilkinson , S. Mackie Best Players: D. JABORNIK, M. May, L. Wilkinson, J. Brooker, J. DANIEL, B. WATTS

Under 18 Grade

The Tigers have lost their past three games against the Hawks in the final minutes of each encounter from free kicks. Two games were lost last year – both on the siren and last Sunday, a dubious free kick against them in front of goal resulted in a goal which ultimately lost them the match by two points.

It was a disappointing loss considering the young Tigers had fought their way back into the match after being well down at half time. Captain Steve Camp was outstanding in defence. He has maturity for a young player and will be a player of the future for the Tigers.

Kyle King was hard at it at both ends of the ground. He is a strong lad and with fitness is also a player to watch in coming years. Mitch Price ran himself into the ground. He was probably suffering the effects of a match he played on Saturday when cramps set in during the final few hectic minutes of the game.

Two young quality players are James Armstrong and Jason Taylor. They played with enormous character and will develop as the season unfolds. This young group are not too far off providing a few upsets and perhaps that chance comes next Sunday against the undefeated Magpies.

TUGGERANONG HAWKS 2 2 5 4 6 5 9 5 (59) QUEANBEYAN 2 0 2 1 6 2 9 3 (57)TUGGERANONG HAWKS QUEANBEYAN Goal Kickers: K. King 2, T. YEATES , P. Maher , W. Perren-Leveridge , K. SHEA , G. LENNON , A. Kenworthy , S. Vanholland Best Players: S. CAMP, K. King, J. ARMSTRONG, M. Price, J. TAYLOR, S. Vanholland